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Best Dispersed Camping near Laughlin, NV

149 Reviews

The desert landscape surrounding Laughlin, Nevada features numerous dispersed camping opportunities on public lands, with Lake Mohave - Nevada Telephone Cove standing out as a popular waterfront option. Located within Lake Mead National Recreation Area, this site offers approximately 15-20 camping spots along the shoreline with basic amenities including vault toilets and a garbage dumpster. Across the Colorado River in Arizona, Old Kingman Highway Dispersed Camping provides primitive sites with level areas suitable for various camping setups. Arrowhead Cove offers more secluded camping with water access, though reaching it requires navigating rugged roads. Most sites in the region are on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) property or within the National Recreation Area, providing free camping options within 30 minutes of Laughlin's casino district.

Road conditions vary significantly throughout the area, with many sites requiring travel on unpaved roads. As one camper noted about Telephone Cove, "Four mile unpaved road to get down to the lake... Road is recently grated and other than a little bit of noise until 10:00 p.m., a great place for a night or several." High clearance vehicles are recommended for accessing more remote locations like Arrowhead Cove, where visitors report "a rugged and steeply graded access road" with signs recommending 4x4 vehicles. Most dispersed sites enforce a 14-day stay limit. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 100°F, making spring and fall the most comfortable camping seasons. Flash flooding can occur during monsoon season (July-September), particularly in wash areas. Cell service is generally available near main roads but becomes spotty in canyons and remote areas.

Waterfront camping receives consistently positive reviews, with Lake Mohave sites being particularly sought after. One visitor described Arrowhead Cove as having "the clearest water I've ever seen" with abundant wildlife including "Gila monsters, tortoise, mules and many more creatures." Stargazing opportunities are exceptional due to minimal light pollution. Many sites lack amenities, requiring campers to pack in all supplies including water and pack out all waste. Several reviewers mention afternoon winds as a consideration when setting up camp. Weekend traffic from off-highway vehicles (OHVs) increases at some sites, particularly those designated for such use. While most areas are well-maintained, some visitors report trash issues at certain locations, emphasizing the importance of Leave No Trace practices to preserve these public lands.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Laughlin, Nevada (45)

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Laughlin, NV

128 Photos of 45 Laughlin Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Laughlin, NV

149 Reviews of 45 Laughlin Campgrounds

  • Katie K.
    Mar. 29, 2021

    Cerbat Foothills Dispersed - PERMANENTLY CLOSED

    Not sure what the other reviews are about....

    But the place I ended up is just BLM land off the highway. There's a turn off the highway, super easy to miss, and it immediately goes up a hill. There's a gate at the top that just says "please close gate - Bureau of Land Management" so I just went in. The road is very smooth and well worn as of this review, my prius had no problem. Not a single other soul in sight. The road sorta stops after the electricity thing (why am I blanking on what these are called?), but it looks like high clearance vehicles have gone through.

    This spot is amazing. Free public land. There are only a few pull off spots. Very quiet and beautiful.

    Please practice leave no trace etiquette! This spot is gorgeous, let's keep it that way :)

  • Jenny H.
    Sep. 17, 2020

    Cerbat Foothills Dispersed - PERMANENTLY CLOSED

    35.2044, -114.096711

    10/15/2020 Location updated Thank you, Dyrt Staff

    This is the gem of the area. I love the Monolith Gardens Trail and try to hike it everyday. There are extensive trails for people, dogs, bikes, and equestrian people. Best to visit in winter as it’s been hell raising hot all summer 2020. Bring water. The Campground has NO water, NO toilet, and NO trash service currently but town is a mile away. October and April are best weather. This is a primitive experience hiking on moon-like landscape.

    Note: updated 10/15/2020. The Dyrt map reflects correct location. When approaching from the East, turn around at AquaFrie/Sundown Streets

  • Jake
    Dec. 22, 2020

    Mojave Cross Dispersed — Mojave National Preserve

    Secluded Star Gazing

    Wonderful dispersed free camping in Mojave National Preserve. Find the first road adjacent to the white cross memorial. We arrived after sunset and we reluctant to drive too far down the uneven and non-maintained dirt road, but were rewarded with an outstanding campsite for our risky persistence!

    The road has many wash out holes and soft sand, but I was able to navigate successfully (and slowly) in an AWD Honda Element. Higher clearance four-wheel drive vehicles will be able to explore additional camp sites further down the road, but there are a handful of sites near the entrance.

    Tip: Stargazing at this site was outstanding. Rock formations provide comfortable platforms for laying on your back and watching for shooting stars. Camped here in December with overnight lows around 30 degrees. Bundle up and enjoy!!

  • Steve M.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 17, 2025

    Lake Mohave - Nevada Telephone Cove — Lake Mead National Recreation Area

    Nice, quiet water spot w/limited spaces

    Beautiful area just outside of Laughlin, Nevada. Right on a Cove of Lake Mead. Four Mile unpaved Road to get down to the lake and anywhere between 15 to 20 camping spots depending on group size. Small boat launch for jet skis but not for bigger boats. Do not recommend trying to take anything bigger than a 35 ft RV down there. Two vault toilets and a garbage dumpster. Road is recently grated and other than a little bit of noise until 10:00 p.m., a great place for a night or several. Stay limit here is 7 days. I arrived Friday at 3:00 p.m. and found the last spot.

  • Jessica M.
    Aug. 31, 2020

    Cerbat Foothills Dispersed - PERMANENTLY CLOSED

    Lost in the wash below a landfill

    10/15/2020 Location updated Thank you, Dyrt Staff

    We followed the OLD directions link from The Dyrt app. This location is no longer listed as a camping spot on the app. So, follow the correct listing on the other side of the highway......Apple Maps said to go north of pin point, then head south on Co. Highway 125 which was washed out in places. May be okay for a high clearance van, but not our travel trailer in tow. This is just below the Mohave County Landfill. We gave up with many cactus spines in our tires. We had to return to I93 where we started. Google maps directions are from the south following Co. Highway 125 north. Possibly, this can be reached better from the south where Co. Highway 125 leaves I93 and head north. Or, the GPS marking is incorrect, and should be marking the west side of I93, closer to Kingman.

  • D
    Apr. 2, 2024

    Wild Horse Road Dispersed

    Beautiful Spot

    Great spot just before Hole in the Wal About 1/4 mile down a road marked “4x4 high clearance only.” But if you’re just hitting the campsite you can make It in a lot less. There’s a turn around there for people towing trailers. No facilities, just a fire ring, red rock peaks and quiet. Absolutely stunning.

  • Sara S.
    Feb. 16, 2021

    Mojave Cross Dispersed — Mojave National Preserve

    Hidden Gem

    Great place for desert boondocking! Very quiet and amazing stars! Joshua Trees all around. Coyotes howling at night. Watch out for cacti which are enormous! A huge fire left a large area of this part of the preserve damaged but there are still some spots where the Joshua Trees are un damaged. It’s a dirt road with some large-ish rocks to get to the dispersed spots. We made it just fine in our pick-up towing a teardrop. 2WD cars shouldn’t have a problem expect. High clearance definitely makes your life easier for sure. Most sites have a rock fire pit and not much else. We opted for a spot against some jumbo rocks for wind protection. It’s a decently trafficked area but wasn’t at all crowded or trashed. We’d 100% stay here again.

  • Chanel C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 2, 2019

    Mojave Cross Dispersed — Mojave National Preserve

    Camp under the stars in a Joshua Tree forest

    • Free primitive campground great for boondocking! First come first serve.
    • Right across from the Teutonia Peak trailhead. Perfect for going on a day hike and explore the landscape surrounded by Joshua Trees
    • Shell gas station about 11 miles up Interstate 15 if you need to pick up water and supplies
    • Dirt roads with gravel with some small rocks when approaching campground.
    • Fires are allowed and some sites have firepits. You can always make your own with the rocks in the area.
    • The land is owned by Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and dedicated to the fallen soldiers of all wars
    • The best sites are the two right around the White Cross Memorial boulders. The one near the front of the cross (entrance) is great for group camping. It has two picnic tables and is right next to a large Juniper tree. The one in the rear of the White Cross is very spacious and has large rocks that protect from the wind.
    • Amazing star gazing in the dessert with very little light polution
    • Some spots may be difficult for vehicles without high clearance. Beware of scraping the underbelly your cars or trailers on rocks in the road.
    • Pretty secluded and remote camping. There were about 6 other campers near us -- mostly RVs and a few tent sites
    • No showers, toilets, running water. Practice LNT and pack in pack out.
    • Wifi is okay -- 2 out of 4 bars (AT&T)
  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 8, 2023

    Snaggletooth Primitive RV Camp

    Gorgeous spot to relax and take in a sunset or two

    I ended up here after the place I had originally intended to stay didn't work out, and I am so glad I did. Yes, the front of this camping area, right off the highway, has a ton of trash. But it doesn't take much driving to get past it, and once you do you end up with a beautiful view of mountains and horizon. The highlight was watching the sun set behind the mountains. 

    The campground: The road leading back is dirt and gravel, and it does have some ruts and a few big dips. It was a jarring ride, but ultimately my crossover did fine. Some of the sites do have markers with numbers; I was back near marker #6 where I found a clean, flat gravel space to park for the night. There were only two other campers, both closer to the front, and we were all able to be very spaced out. The noise from the highway was minimal, just an occasional low rumble. I felt pretty comfortable traveling on my own there, but there is very little privacy because everything is so wide open. I think if someone had parked closer to me, I would have felt like everything I was doing was on display and would have been less comfortable. 

    The area: This place is right off of highway 95, and your closest gas/food is about 20 miles away (Needles, CA). Needles tends to have pretty pricey gas, so I recommend you have as close to a full tank before you head down or up 95. 

    Booking: Primitive camping on public land: no booking, no fee, no assigned spots. 

    Cell service: I have Verizon and this is maybe the best cell service I have ever had.

Guide to Laughlin

Dispersed camping near Laughlin, Nevada offers opportunities for primitive outdoor stays in the Mojave Desert's unique landscape. The region sits at elevations ranging from 500-1,500 feet, creating dramatic temperature variations between day and night. Desert washes throughout the area can transform from dry beds to flowing channels during monsoon season, making site selection important for rustic camping experiences.

What to do

Wildlife viewing opportunities: At Arrowhead Cove, campers report impressive biodiversity. One visitor noted, "There is a treasure trove of wildlife here apparent just from the birds singing. It was a cacophony of songbirds just before the sun went down over the mountains."

Rock formation exploration: Near Craggy Wash, unusual rock formations create interesting landscapes for hiking and photography. A camper mentioned, "Cool spot to fly the drone, caves and weird stuff left behind by previous campers."

Wild burro encounters: The Y Dispersed Campsite provides unique wildlife interactions with the local burro population. As one visitor observed, "Burros frequent the area looking for food from travelers and often stand in the middle of the road. They also gather among the campers."

What campers like

Water clarity: Lake Mohave - Nevada Telephone Cove receives consistent praise for its swimming conditions. A reviewer noted, "Shallow water is great for kids and dogs."

Night sky viewing: Rustic camping sites around Laughlin provide exceptional stargazing due to minimal light pollution. At Piute Range Dispersed Camping, a visitor shared, "Got here in the middle of the night and had no idea what to expect. Once your eyes adjust, there are so many stars you can see a fair amount."

Seclusion and privacy: More remote spots like Nine Mile Coves offer greater solitude. A camper described it as a "Good, secluded spot... Sandy, exposed lot with a couple good sites."

What you should know

Road conditions vary dramatically: Access roads to most sites require careful navigation. For Arrowhead Cove, a visitor warned, "There is a sign at the entrance of Mead-Davis Powerline Rd that says 4x4 recommended... Take this to heart."

Seasonal timing matters: Summer temperatures make primitive camping challenging. Spring and fall offer more comfortable conditions for camping near Laughlin, Nevada.

Limited facilities: Old Kingman Highway Dispersed Camping typifies the basic amenities available. A camper summarized, "Bring in your own water and generator, pack out what you bring in. No trash pick up or garbage containers."

Site availability concerns: Popular water-adjacent spots fill quickly. A visitor to Telephone Cove reported, "I arrived Friday at 3:00 p.m. and found the last spot."

Tips for camping with families

Water safety: When camping with children at waterfront sites, shallow areas provide safer swimming. A visitor to Telephone Cove mentioned, "Shallow water is great for kids and dogs."

Wildlife education opportunities: The animal encounters provide learning experiences. At The Y Dispersed Campsite, families can observe local wildlife. One camper noted, "The scenery is wonderful, and the local wildlife make regular appearances."

Sun protection requirements: Limited shade makes sun protection essential. Portable shade structures become important amenities for family camping.

Evening temperature planning: Desert temperature drops require warm clothing layers after sunset, even when days reach 90°F or higher.

Tips from RVers

Size limitations: Several primitive sites have restrictions for larger rigs. A Telephone Cove visitor advised, "Do not recommend trying to take anything bigger than a 35 ft RV down there."

Washboard road preparation: Secure loose items before driving unpaved routes. RVers report significant vibration on access roads.

Leveling challenges: Finding level spots requires scouting. A camper at Old Kingman Highway Dispersed Camping noted, "Road is well maintained and lots of level areas to park your camper."

Wind considerations: Position RVs strategically to minimize wind exposure. One visitor to Piute Range mentioned, "Lots of wind from all directions" affecting comfort levels.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is free overnight RV parking available in Laughlin, and where are the designated areas?

Free overnight RV parking is available near Laughlin in several designated areas. Craggy Wash - Dispersed Camping Area south of Lake Havasu City accommodates RVs with no facilities but plenty of space. Wild Horse Road Dispersed offers spots for RVs about a quarter-mile down a road marked "4x4 high clearance only," with a turnaround specifically for those towing trailers. Most areas near Laughlin follow standard BLM regulations with 14-day stay limits. Be prepared for no hookups, bring all supplies, and practice Leave No Trace principles. Check road conditions before attempting access with larger rigs, especially after weather events.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Laughlin, NV?

Several excellent free dispersed camping options exist near Laughlin. Lake Mohave - Nevada Telephone Cove offers beautiful lakeside camping just outside Laughlin with about 15-20 spots depending on group size. It requires navigating a 4-mile unpaved road to reach the cove. Another good option is Snaggletooth Primitive RV Camp, which offers beautiful mountain views once you drive past the area near the highway. BLM land in the region generally permits 14-day stays. For the best experience, bring all necessary supplies including water, and pack out all trash to help preserve these areas for future campers.

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Laughlin, NV?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Laughlin, NV is Lake Mohave - Nevada Telephone Cove — Lake Mead National Recreation Area with a 4.3-star rating from 12 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Laughlin, NV?

TheDyrt.com has all 45 dispersed camping locations near Laughlin, NV, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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